Many people are still wondering why their money hasn’t arrived even after filing and e-verifying their ITR for AY 2025-26. If your income tax return is not received or shows an amount not received, there’s no need to worry. Income tax refunds are being delayed in many cases this year because the department has tightened data matching and verification. In this article, we’ll understand the real reasons behind the delay and how you can track and resolve it.
What is the ITR Refund Process?
When more money is deducted or deposited during the year than your tax liability, the government refunds that excess amount. This is called an Income Tax Refund. This entire process is handled by the Income Tax Department’s Central Processing Centre (CPC), and ultimately, the money is credited directly to your bank account.
Steps in the ITR Refund Process (AY 2025-26)
1. ITR Filing
First, you must fill in your income and tax information correctly in the ITR form. This determines whether you will receive a refund.
2. E-Verification
After filing, it’s necessary to e-verify your return. This can be done using Aadhaar OTP, net banking, or another digital method. Without verification, the return will not proceed.
3. CPC Processing
After e-verification, the return goes to the CPC, where your details are matched with Form 26AS, AIS, and TDS data. If everything matches, the return is processed smoothly.
4. Refund Determination
The department then determines the refund amount you are entitled to. If you don’t have any past tax dues, the full amount is approved. Otherwise, the amount is adjusted against the outstanding amount.
5. Refund Credit to Bank Account
Once approved, the refund is sent directly to the bank account you pre-validated on the portal. If the bank details are incorrect or the account is closed, the money will be returned, and you will need to submit a new request.
6. Timeline
Refunds are often processed within 30 to 45 days after e-verification. But if the case is a little complex or the amount is large, the department conducts additional investigation and it may take more time.
Major Reasons for Income Tax Refund Delay
| Reason | Why does it happen? | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Data Mismatch (ITR vs Form 26AS/AIS/TDS) | If the income or TDS declared by you does not match with AIS or Form 26AS, the return is withheld. | Before filing ITR, cross-check 26AS and AIS, in case of mismatch, get the correction done from the deductor. |
| PAN–Aadhaar Linking Issue | If PAN and Aadhaar are not linked or details are different (name, DOB etc.), the return process gets stopped. | Go to the Income Tax portal and link PAN-Aadhaar and correct the mismatch details. |
| Incorrect or Unvalidated Bank Account | If the account number, IFSC is wrong or the bank account is not pre-validated, the refund fails. | Pre-validate on the bank account portal and fill in the correct IFSC/Account details. |
| Not doing E-Verification | If the return is not verified after filing, CPC will not start the process. | Immediately after filing the ITR, e-verify it using Aadhaar OTP or Netbanking. |
| High Refund Claim / Scrutiny | If there is a large refund amount or unusual deductions, Dept. Extra investigates. | Keep all proofs ready, make only genuine claims and reply on time when you receive a notice. |
| Outstanding Tax Dues / Old Notices | If tax of previous years is pending, then refund can be adjusted from the same. | Clear the pending demand or file rectification/response if it is wrong. |
| Portal Glitches / Heavy Load | Due to excessive filing on the last date, the portal becomes slow or gives errors. | If possible, do early filing and use the grievance redressal option in case of errors. |
How to Check Your ITR Refund Status
The Most Trusted Method — e-Filing (Login)
- Login to incometax.gov.in with your PAN/Aadhaar and password.
- Go to Menu → e-File → Income Tax Returns → View Filed Returns.
- Select your Assessment Year and open View Details / Refund-Demand Status in that row — this is where the complete return status (Submitted → Processed → Refund Determined → Sent to Banker → Paid/Failed/Adjusted) and dates will be displayed.
Without Login – Quick Check (Acknowledgement/ITR Receipt)
If you have an Acknowledgement number, you can instantly get the status by entering your PAN and OTP on the “Know your refund status (without login)” page of e-filing – this is the easiest way to check if you just need a quick check.
Cross-Check – Form-26AS / TRACES / NSDL
If the portal shows “Refund Issued” but the money hasn’t arrived at the bank, first check your Form-26AS – if you see a ‘Paid’ entry there, the department has sent the money. You can also check your refund history and the date of disbursement by entering your PAN + AY in the NSDL refund tool.
Common statuses – what they mean and what to do immediately
| Status | What does it mean? | What to do immediately? |
|---|---|---|
| Refund Sent to Banker | CPC has sent the refund; the money has now gone to the bank for processing. | Please allow 7–10 working days. If it hasn’t arrived after 10–15 days, please confirm with your bank branch. |
| Refund Paid | The department has made the payment and ‘Paid’ is visible in Form-26AS. | Check your Form 26AS and bank statements. If the entry is in both, but not in your account, ask your bank. |
| Refund Failed | The bank rejected the payment (wrong/closed account or name mismatch). | Correct the bank details on e-Filing and submit a re-issue request from Services → Refund Re-issue (pre-validate the bank account first). |
| Refund Adjusted | The Dept. has adjusted your refund against the old tax demand/dues. | Check View Demand / Outstanding in e-Filing; respond to the notice or make rectification if you do not agree. |
What to Do If Income Tax Return Amount Not Received
If you haven’t received your AY 2025-26 refund, do the following immediately:
- Login to the Income Tax portal and check your status under Refunds/My Account.
- Verify that your ITR is correct and e-verified.
- Bank details (Account no., IFSC, name) are correct pre-validate them.
- Contact the e-Filing helpline or CPC for assistance to keep your PAN, AY, and acknowledgment handy.
- If the issue remains unresolved, file a grievance (complaint) on the portal and follow up.
What’s New in AY 2025-26 Compared to Earlier Years
Every year, there are some changes to the ITR filing and refund process, but this year, in AY 2025-26, some things are clearly visible that are directly impacting the refund timeline.
1. Strict AIS and TDS Matching
This year, the department is comparing your ITR details with the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and TDS records more carefully than ever before. Even a small mismatch can subject the return to manual scrutiny and delay the refund.
2. Curb Erroneous Claims
In previous years, several major erroneous exemption and deduction claims were detected. Consequently, the department is now conducting extra scrutiny on high-value refunds or unusual claims. As a result, even genuine taxpayers are having to wait a bit longer.
3. New Questions in ITR Forms
Some new disclosures have been added to ITR-2 and ITR-3 this year, such as reporting capital gains in different time periods. These changes are not minor, so processing is taking a little longer.
4. Impact of Old Cases
If your ITRs from previous years are still pending or your tax dues are not clear, a new refund will not be processed immediately. The department first settles old cases and then releases a new refund.
5. Technical Issues with the Portal
The Income Tax portal has experienced some updates and glitches this year as well. Furthermore, the extended filing deadlines have resulted in many people filing returns simultaneously, which has slowed down processing speeds.
Tips to Avoid Refund Delays in Future
1. Don’t file your return late
Most people wait for the deadline, and then the portal becomes crowded. This leads to minor mistakes. Try to file your return on time, but not so early that AIS and TDS are not updated. It is best to file after the second half of June.
2. PAN and Aadhaar must be correctly linked
These days, PAN-Aadhaar linking is essential. If it is not linked, the PAN becomes inactive and the refund will automatically be stopped. Sometimes, problems arise due to name or date of birth mismatches, so check the details beforehand.
3. Checking your bank account is essential
Refunds always come to the account that is active and pre-validated. Sometimes, people enter old or closed accounts, resulting in a refund failure. Be sure to cross-check the account number and IFSC code before filing your ITR.
4. Don’t Ignore Notices
If the Income Tax Department sends a notice, delaying it can result in a refund being delayed. Whether it’s a defective return or a clarification, it’s important to respond promptly.
5. Clear Old Dues First
If there are pending ITRs or tax dues from previous years, the new refund will be adjusted. Therefore, clearing old files is as important as filing new returns.
Conclusion
If your income tax return hasn’t been received, don’t panic. Refund delays are common this year, but most problems stem from minor errors—like the wrong bank account, PAN-Aadhaar linking errors, or verification delays. If all of this is correct, you’ll receive your money after a short wait. Just keep your return clean and fill in the details carefully to avoid delays next time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my income tax refund delayed in AY 2025-26?
The reason is often incorrect bank details or a PAN-Aadhaar mismatch.
How many days does it usually take to get a refund after filing ITR?
It usually takes 30–45 days.
What should I do if the refund status shows “issued” but the money is not received?
Check Form-26AS and bank account, and request a re-issue if necessary.
Can old tax dues affect my current refund?
Yes, the refund is adjusted if there are old dues.
Do I need to e-verify my ITR for a refund?
Yes, without e-verification, the refund will not be received.
